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b'sdTable set with fine linen and elegant flatware, crystal goblets properly positioned.Final touch to light the candles. Holding the flame to the wick the tiny flame seems almost upside down(kind of how I feel myself at times during the week).Finally the the fire catches the candles are lit.Have a good one; h

A nasty springtime Shabbat in NYC called a more substantial wine, so we opened 2010 Tzora Shoresh. Talk about substantial! It took till Shabbat AM to settle down. Even then it was a powerful wine with nose to match. But it was also strange. The back label describes it as 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Syrah, 16% Merlot. But the dominant taste was the Syrah! Has anyone else reported about this wine? Or, are my taste buds that far off?

I have two more bottles. It seems appropriate to me to let them cellar for another year or yea-and-a-half before trying again.

A nasty springtime Shabbat in NYC called a more substantial wine, so we opened 2010 Tzora Shoresh. Talk about substantial! It took till Shabbat AM to settle down. Even then it was a powerful wine with nose to match. But it was also strange. The back label describes it as 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Syrah, 16% Merlot. But the dominant taste was the Syrah! Has anyone else reported about this wine? Or, are my taste buds that far off?

I have two more bottles. It seems appropriate to me to let them cellar for another year or yea-and-a-half before trying again.

A good week to all,

Isaac

What Syrah flavor(s) are you specifically noticing? Many of the 2010 wines I tasted in Israel show blueberry, Cabernet and Merlot alike, quite funny.

Yatir, Sauvignon Blanc 2010: I last tasted this wine in January and back then it had a strange funky smell of dirty socks so I was very concerned with this bottle. Luckily it was perfectly fine! Pale straw with slightly green reflections, on the nose freshly cut grass, grapefruit and lime. Light to medium-bodied with on the palate still good acid as well as citrus fruits, quince, kiwi and somewhat salty stone minerals with a grassy tone showing on the finish. Very nice and refreshing white wine.

HHW, Pardess, Merlot 2007: Another excellent bottle from a winery that is quite infamous for its bottle variation issue. A Merlot that has been aged 18 months in french oak barrels. Very dark garnet in color with on the nose plums, blackberries, raspberries, wood and mint-flavored chocolate (think After Eight). Full-bodied with on the palate layers of ripe dark fruit, plums, cherries, tobacco, vanilla, sweet cedar and dark chocolate with tannins rising on the long finish as the wine develops and opens up in the glass. Beautiful Merlot!

Shiloh, Secret Reserve, Petite Sirah 2007: A blend of 90% Petite Sirah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 16 months in two-years old french oak barrels. Very dark plum red towards purple wit on the nose ripe crushed berries, sweet plums, cracked pepper, oak and dark chocolate. Full-bodied and super extracted with on the palate sweet candied-like blackberries, cherries, a hint of dates, sweet oriental spices and more pepper and backer's chocolate with nice tannins and acid lingering on the very long and luscious finish. A superb Petite Sirah, and despite its lack of blueberries on both nose and palate which I crave for with Petite Sirah, I really loved this very hard to find wine.

Shabbat lunch:

Elvi, Clasico 2008: This is a mevushal blend of 88% Tempranillo and 12% Merlot with essentially strong notes of cold turkish coffee and leather on both nose and palate. Lacking in body, structure fruit and complexity I didn't like it at all.

First was an amazingly delicious Gvaot Herodian Vineyards Dance 2011. The Cabernet was very nice, but the Vineyards Dance was scrumptious. It was an elegant blend of Cabernet, Merlot, and Petite Verdot and was a complex sum of its parts. We also tasted a Dalton Reserve Shiraz 2010. It was made with 96% Shiraz and 4% Viognier, the magic grape. The elegance and spiciness showed the French style of the Dalton wines at its best. The finish was a pleasurable dream. I really enjoyed these wines.

Friday night - I had the 1848 5th Generation Cabernet Franc with Sous Vide Veal Breast in a beer and honey reduction and then for the main an amazing Sous Vide Ribeye. The wine was delicious, full bodied, dark fruits, and very soft smooth tannins. Shabbos day it was drinking just as well. I also had a can of Alchemist Heady Topper which was excellent.

Saturday lunch: Four Gates Chardonnay 2009. Still charming and delicious, it doesn't seem to be aging as gracefully as most Four Gates Chards. Initially this was very viognier-like and it still has some qualities that are reminiscent of that but as it has lost a little fruit there has been no real increase in complexity. Not that it really matters, I am sure you can't find it anymore. I just have a few bottles left. Glad to open a bottle for any forumites that find themselves in Charleston, SC.

2011 Soreka Cabernet Sauvignon - Oh a little leather and dark fruit .. Silky and just good. Amazing for such a youngster.. Really!

2012 Domaine Netofa - Rose - Soft Strawberry cream puff, floral, Rose Water, VERY inviting Nose.Almost a creamy buttery berry on the sip with a faint very distant hint of some field spices. Intersting wine with a lot of Sediment for a Rose.. Different leaves the mouth with a nice feel.

HHW Isaac's Ram 2009. smelled and tasted of a nice slab of marbled meat only later showing some ripe cherries and raspberries. Was wonderful.

does anyone have WTN on the 2009 vs the 2007? I can get some of the 2007 but my wine store recommended the 2009 instead (which I was very happy with). I had the 2007 but cannot make a comparison from so long ago.

Moshe F wrote:HHW Isaac's Ram 2009. smelled and tasted of a nice slab of marbled meat only later showing some ripe cherries and raspberries. Was wonderful.

does anyone have WTN on the 2009 vs the 2007? I can get some of the 2007 but my wine store recommended the 2009 instead (which I was very happy with). I had the 2007 but cannot make a comparison from so long ago.

Moshe, Hi,

I had the 07 Isaac's Ram just a few weeks ago and while it wasn't as good as the 09 let alone the 05 it wasn't bad either though a bit too over the top (oak, overripe fruit) for me.

Best,

GG

Last edited by Gabriel Geller on Tue May 28, 2013 3:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Asif Viognier 2009 - On its own it tasted a bit off, but it was better when accompanying a mixed salad of arugula and strawberry. I should drink up whatever I have left of this vintage. Always preferring the '08 to the '09, it now seems to me that the '08 is also holding up better than the '09. 13% AbV. C+/**/N

Prix Hagafen Pinot Noir Fagan Creek Block 38 2007 - The fruit was present, but the lack of acidity made it come across as flat. C/*/N

To say I am behind is an understatement - sorry! Three lovely Merlot from the 2009 Israeli vintage. A pair of wines from 2000, including a killer Herzog Napa cab. Finally a chance to taste the 2010 Pacifica Cab in my house at a pace and comfort that allowed me to see there is more there than meets the eye!